'Apathy rules' for voters in NI

The slogan "Vote early and vote often" is, it seems, running out of currency in Northern Ireland, perhaps to be replaced with "Apathy rules ok".

A lifestyle survey commissioned by the BBC across the UK suggests that since 1945, there has been a steady decline in the numbers voting in elections.

Sixty years ago, three quarters of those entitled to vote in Northern Ireland exercised their right.

By 2005, the number staying at home had risen to more than a third.

However, the highest proportion of "stay at homes" is in the north west of England where nearly 40% chose not to vote.

The political parties need not get too worried yet because while the percentages may have dropped, the population is growing at a steady pace - up 13% in the past 25 years to 1.7m.

Growth

Explanation for the growth takes several factors into account; with the end of the Troubles and, until recently, an improved economy, the emigration flow has slowed considerably with evidence that the "brain drain" of young professionals drifting overseas has been stemmed.

In Northern Ireland over the past five years, there has been a huge influx of foreign nationals, particularly from eastern Europe.

In terms of age profile, Northern Ireland comes second in the UK with an average age of 36.8 compared with 42.6 in Cornwall and 41.7 in Scotland.

At opposite ends of the spectrum, 6.4% of the NI population is under five, with 16% of pensionable age or over.

Britain's highest percentage of under fives is in London where there are 6.8% compared to the lowest, 4.8% in Norfolk and Cornwall.

London has the lowest percentage of those of pensionable age at 14%, with Norfolk and Cornwall claiming the most pensioners at 24%.

The mortality rates across the UK reveal sharp differences with lifestyle, diet and economic circumstances all playing a contributing role.

People living in Scotland have 17% more chance of dying in any given year, month, week or day than the average Briton. The figure for Northern Ireland is 2%.

A year or two ago, it seemed that you could bet your house that the value of your home in Northern Ireland would continue to rocket upwards.

But the credit crunch has brought a cold dose of reality to the housing market and while that might be bad news for vendors, for first-time buyers it has been very welcome.

However, on average, it is still more expensive to buy a house in Northern Ireland than in Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Swansea or Sheffield.

The drift from the land has been well documented by the farming lobby and statistics would appear to support this view with evidence throughout Britain of a declining rural population.